Hearts are to make Scottish football history by appointing former women’s national team manager Shelley Kerr to a key role relating solely to the development of men’s players.
The Edinburgh club are set to confirm Kerr as their first head of technical development, handing the 55-year-old a significant responsibility in the transition from the academy to the first team. Kerr will become the first woman to hold such a position at a major Scottish club. The UEFA Professional License holder will also assist the Hearts B team and monitor the coaches’ progress at the training base.
In addition to Kerr’s technical qualifications, Hearts believe his personality will be a major asset to the progression of players and coaches. With no hiccups expected from either side, an announcement is expected from Hearts in the next 24 hours.
Kerr, a Hearts supporter in her youth, played for the club long before the formation of the Scottish Women’s Premier League. After managing Arsenal, she was hired by Lowland League men’s team, University of Stirling. The Scotland job came next, with Kerr leading her country to the 2019 Women’s World Cup. She left a year later after the team failed to qualify for the Euros. Kerr then worked for the English Football Association in women’s team development, whilst maintaining a presence in Scotland through expert roles.
Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones took up the role this week. Jones was previously a respected member of Steve Clarke’s team as Scottish FA performance director. A key part of Jones’ tenure at Hearts involves producing talent for use by the first team and potentially being sold.
The lack of playing time given to Scotland’s young players in the country’s top flight has been a key talking point in recent times. Hearts are eager to reverse this trend; James Wilson, 17, scored the equalizer in an Edinburgh derby last month and Adam Forrester, 19, was used in the first team under Neil Critchley.
Hearts recently confirmed a partnership with Jamestown, a football analytics company founded by Brighton owner Tony Bloom. Bloom could buy a minority stake in Hearts, subject to ratification by the Foundation of Hearts, the majority shareholder, in what would be seen as a tacit admission of his belief in what Jamestown can bring to Scotland.